You may be able to sue the Twisted Fork and Reno Provisions for E. coli food poisoning if your infection can be linked to the restaurant and food company. The outbreak of illnesses linked to these businesses was caused by a dessert manufactured by Reno Provisions and sold at the Twisted Fork restaurant in south Reno, Nevada, according to the Washoe County Health District.
Since mid-October (2015), over 20 people contracted E. coli O157:H7 infections, which can lead to severe cases of colitis, dehydration and hemolytic uremic syndrome, which causes renal failure.
“Our epidemiologists and environmental health staff have identified a dessert that was prepared by Reno Provisions,” said Washoe County District Health Officer Kevin Dick. “Several people who ate at the Twisted Fork restaurant had the dessert, as did some other people outside the Reno area who then developed the E. coli infection. That commonality led investigators to the dessert supplier, and to tests of food and equipment at Reno Provisions.”
Now that positive test results have identified a specific E. coli source, the Health District’s investigation has shifted focus from the restaurant to the manufacturer, Reno Provisions. Now traceback investigations will try determine the specific ingredient in the dessert that caused the contamination.
Questions that Need Answers
- How did the dessert get contaminated?
- Did Reno Provisions use an ingredient that was contaminated by another food processor?
- Were the desserts contaminated by a Reno Provisions food handler who had an E. coli infection?
- What sanitation measures did Reno Provisions have in place to prevent this kind of outbreak, and were they followed?
These are just a few of the questions that need answers.